# std::unique_ptr<T,Deleter>::operator*, std::unique_ptr<T,Deleter>::operator->

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< cpp‎ | memory‎ | unique ptr

typename std::add_lvalue_reference<T>::type operator*() const noexcept(noexcept(*std::declval<pointer>())); | (1) | (since C++11) (constexpr since C++23)
pointer operator->() const noexcept; | (2) | (since C++11) (constexpr since C++23)

`operator*` and `operator->` provide access to the object owned by *this.

The behavior is undefined if get() == nullptr.

These member functions are only provided for `unique_ptr` for the single objects i.e. the primary template.

### Parameters

(none)

### Return value

1) Returns the object owned by *this, equivalent to *get().
2) Returns a pointer to the object owned by *this, i.e. get().

### Exceptions

1) May throw if `pointer` has a throwing `operator*`.

### Notes

The use of std::add_lvalue_reference is to make it possible to instantiate std::unique_ptr<void> since void& isn't allowed in C++ while std::add_lvalue_reference<void> produces void. See LWG673 for details.

### Example

Run this code

    #include <iostream>
    #include <memory>

    struct Foo
    {
        void bar() { std::cout << "Foo::bar\n"; }
    };

    void f(const Foo&)
    {
        std::cout << "f(const Foo&)\n";
    }

    int main()
    {
        std::unique_ptr<Foo> ptr(new Foo);

        ptr->bar();
        f(*ptr);
    }

Output:

    Foo::bar
    f(const Foo&)

### Defect reports

The following behavior-changing defect reports were applied retroactively to previously published C++ standards.

DR | Applied to | Behavior as published | Correct behavior
--- | --- | --- | ---
LWG 2762 | C++11 | `operator*` might be potentially-throwing even if *get() was noexcept | a conditional exception specification added

### See also

get | returns a pointer to the managed object (public member function)

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